Perth

Cruise the Swan River past parks and skyscrapers to 40 vineyards in the Swan Valley or the Perth Zoo

Embrace Perth's relaxed magic with a sunset drink on Cottlesloe Beach, a cruise down the Swan River or live music in inner-city enclaves. Walk Kings Park and visit historic Fremantle. Swim, bike and catch rock lobster along Rottnest Island's secluded bays. Combine Perth with a journey to the Pinnacles, Monkey Mia or the beaches and goldfields of the state's south-west.

Australia’s only capital city on the Indian Ocean oozes confidence. Explore Perth’s hip wine bars and sunny beaches, spectacular green parks and glittering skyscrapers, funky neighbourhoods and beautiful colonial architecture. Be enthralled by a city on the move that has passion for the past and energy for the future.

Western Australia is home to a number of extraordinary ‘pink lakes'. Lake Hillier is a pink-coloured lake on Middle Island, the largest of the islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago off the coast of Esperance.

Discover white beaches, coral reefs, salty fishing towns and rugged national parks on this spectacular journey along Western Australia’s Coral Coast. Head north to taste fresh crayfish in Geraldton and mouth-watering tropical fruits in Carnarvon. Swim with the huge whale shark on Ningaloo Reef and four wheel drive through the canyons of nearby Cape Range National Park. On your way back down the coast, meet the dolphins of Monkey Mia, along with whales, manta rays, turtles, sharks, dugongs and fish in the wider Shark Bay World Heritage Area. See seasonal wildflowers break out their brightest colours all along the coast, from Cape Range to the cliffs and gorges of Kalbarri National Park.

It's a true desert landscape in Nambung National Park, where the weathered rock spires of the Pinnacles rise out of yellow sand dunes. Yet the park sits on the deep blue Indian Ocean, along an idyllic stretch of coast three hour's drive north of Perth. After experiencing the eerie Pinnacles, stay in the fishing village of Cervantes, with its white beaches, coral reefs and Lake Thetis, a salt lake teeming with living fossils. Get up close to a rich array of wildlife in Badgingarra National Parks and discover Jurien Bay's national parks and idyllic sandy beaches.

Cottesloe Beach is one of the most popular of all Western Australia’s city beaches. It is located midway between the Perth central business district and the port of Fremantle in Perth’s western suburbs, only 15 minutes from the city centre. Cottesloe is renowned for its relaxed lifestyle and has been a popular seaside holiday destination for Perth locals for more than 100 years. Its village atmosphere and rich maritime heritage is sure to entice you to explore beyond its golden sands. It’s also the perfect place to watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean while dining on fresh seafood.

Sit back and watch Australia’s timeless landscapes fly by your window on this epic train trip. Board at Sydney and hop off for whistlestop tours of Broken Hill, Adelaide and gold-rich Kalgoorlie. Or join in Perth and cut the continent the other way, from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. Pass through the spectacular Blue Mountains, stop in the remote outpost of Cook and travel almost 500 kilometres through the stark Nullarbor Plain. Whatever your direction, you’ll wake to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, watch fiery sunsets and fall asleep to the train’s rhythmic sway.

Pack in the sights to your Perth holiday, known for its sunshine, natural beauty and relaxed pace. Sail down the shimmering, blue Swan River or look over the city and its waterways from Kings Park. Swim, surf or just watch the sunset from Cottesloe Beach, then hit Northbridge’s cheap eateries and trendy bars. Dine out on Indian Ocean seafood and explore Australia’s best-preserved 19th century streetscapes in colourful Fremantle. Dedicate a day to discovering Rottnest Island by bike, boat or foot. Swim and surf from perfect white beaches, snorkel with tropical fish and coral and get up close to diverse wildlife.

Discover the diverse and theatrical landscapes of Australia’s south-west corner. Drive from Perth through the buzzing historic port of Fremantle and swim with dolphins in Mandurah and Bunbury. Explore wineries, surf beaches, ancient limestone caves and towering karri forests in the Margaret River region. Walk through a canopy of sky-scraping trees in the Valley of the Giants, near Walpole. Swim and surf from Esperance’s clean, empty white beaches and cruise to the pristine islands of the Recherche Archipelago. Soak up gold fever in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and trace the path of pioneers on historic gold trails. Watch golden sand morph to green valley as you drive back into Perth.

Beyond its tranquil river and spacious beaches, Perth has lively city precincts humming with great shopping, nightlife and dining. Soak up business chic in Perth’s city centre, browse boutiques along Leederville’s stylish Oxford Street and catch live music in Mount Lawley. Discover hip bars and trendy eateries in Northbridge or visit the theatre along the leafy streets of Subiaco. Clustered around the northern banks of the Swan River, these urban pockets are places to meet the locals and experience its vibrant culture.

Rottnest Island, just a short ferry ride from Perth, feels a world away from city life. Rottnest Island was separated from the Western Australian mainland around 7,000 years ago when the sea level rose. The first records of human occupation of Rottnest Island date back more than 6,500 years, when the Nyungah Aboriginal people inhabited the area. Known to local Aboriginal people as Wadjemup, the island is of great spiritual significance to Aboriginal communities.

Just north of Perth on the Swan River, lies the Swan Valley, Western Australia's oldest wine region. Handpick a bottle or two from one of the Swan Valley's state-of-the-art boutique wineries. Follow the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail and indulge your appetite in fine restaurants, relaxed winery cafes, breweries and distilleries, and roadside stalls selling fresh local produce. Dine alfresco in vineyard restaurants or pack a picnic and head to a national park. Cycle the historic Swan Valley Heritage Trail or explore the region in a romantic horse-drawn carriage, chauffeured limousine or a gourmet cruise on the Swan River.

Immerse yourself in fine food and fascinating history in Fremantle. Food is always a festive affair in the historic port of Fremantle. This is a city where you can eat in heritage-listed streets buzzing with buskers or on winding alleys lined with art. Your next meal is as close as the music floating out of a colonial pub or the breeze blowing from the harbour.

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